My research is focused on breast cancer. I have received funding from the National Institutes of Health since 1992 and am an expert in understanding how DNA repair genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 work to fix DNA damage, as well as how a person’s genetics may influence his or her response to radiation therapy.
At MSK, we are leading the way in the use of advanced radiation techniques to ensure our patients have the best outcomes possible. For our early-stage breast cancer patients, we are using hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation. This means patients are receiving fewer total treatment sessions in a shorter time period, with a slightly higher dose given each treatment day. We also have a robust delivery system for partial breast irradiation. We now deliver treatment once per day, which helps our patients tolerate their treatment better.